Boxers' grit set to be tested as tough CWG challenge begins

Glasgow: Leftisolated internationally due to the administrative mess at home, Indian boxers' proven track record of excelling in extreme adversity will be put through a severe test when they start their campaign in the 20th Commonwealth Games on Friday.

With seven medals, three of them gold and four bronze, Indian boxers had scaled an unprecedented high in the 2010 edition of the Games in front of adoring and vociferous home fans.

Cut to now, the boxers could not have hoped for worst circumstances going into a major sporting event. The federation has been terminated and there seems no end in sight to the administrative mess.

In fact, the Indians were initially barred from having their coaches as ringside seconds here due to the federation's termination. But the International Boxing Association (AIBA) relented after some time, much to their relief.

The Indian team this time comprises seven men and three women after pugilists from the fairer sex were handed a CWG debut this time.

Of the seven men, only Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Olympic bronze-medallist Vijender Singh (75kg) were a part of the super-successful team of the previous edition.

Manoj was among the three gold-medallists, while the more fancied and more famous Vijender had settled for a rather controversial bronze in Delhi.

"No matter what the circumstances, we are prepared for everything," said Vijender, India's first Olympic and World Championships medallist.

The rest of the team comprises youngsters who have risen to prominence in the past couple of years.

Among the men, L Devendro Singh (49kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg) are the most promising of the lot, having proved their mettle in the recent past.

Shiva is the reigning Asian champion, while Devendro had won a silver in the same edition alongwith Mandeep. The three are the biggest medal hopes for the country along with Sumit.

However, India's last major international outing was not too impressive.

The team returned empty-handed from the World Championships, their first exposure to the new AIBA technical rules which do not allow for protective head guards anymore.

A positive to build on was that the five of them made the quarterfinals fighting off stiff competition despite being denied international exposure owing to the federation's international suspension.

Indian boxers have also not been shy in expressing their apprehension of greater injury risk due to the new rules but will have to adjust nonetheless.

The women, on the other hand, have also got their task cut out.

Expectations are high from Pinki Jangra (51kg), the reigning national champion, who created quite a stir by beating five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist M C Mary Kom in the trials to make the CWG squad.

Also in fray is veteran L Sarita Devi (60kg), a six-time Asian champion, who would look to prove her worth after continuously living under Mary Kom's shadow. Both Sarita and Mary Kom come from Manipur and have been close friends.

India's boxing record at the CWG has been impressive since 2002 when Mohammed Ali Qamar won the country's maiden gold in the sport.

But given the tough circumstances this time around, it remains to be seen whether they rise up to the challenge.